Tropical Storm Arlene has formed in the Atlantic Ocean. Arlene will pose no danger to Texas or the Gulf of Mexico. It is the first storm of the 2017 Hurricane Season. It is also the third straight year a system has formed in the Atlantic before June 1st.

It is extremely rare to see tropical weather systems form prior to June 1, the official start of hurricane season. The last tropical storm that formed in April was Anna in 2003. Because severe weather, not just tropical storms, can happen at any time it is important to be prepared.

This coming weekend is the 2017 Emergency Preparation Supplies Tax Holiday. This year’s holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, and ends at midnight on Monday, April 24.

The following emergency preparation supplies qualify for tax exemption:

This rare April tropical storm is a reminder that potential severe weather events are not governed by the calendar. Harris County residents are faced with natural and man-made threats daily. Preparedness is important every day of the year. Download the ReadyHarris app, from the Apple Store or Google Play, and use our step-by-step guide to building a personalized family disaster plan. Go to ReadyHarris.org to sign up for emergency alerts and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.